protective effect of ethanolic extract of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica against acetaminophen -induced damage in kidney of the rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups of 8 animals each. Group I as Normal Control received normal saline (10 ml/kg) and group II received ethanolic extract of broccoli (200 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in every other day for 14 days. Group Ш received acetaminophen (750 mg/kg). Groups IV after administration of acetaminophen (750 mg/kg) received ethanolic extract of broccoli same as the group Ш. At the end of experiment, serum levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine were assessed in the rats. Moreover, histopathological observation was assayed at the degree of renal tissue injury. Product of lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde) and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were assayed in kidney homogenates. In acetaminophen-treated rats, ethanolic extract of broccoli significantly decreased serum urea, uric acid and creatinine and renal tissue MDA levels and elevated the values of anti-oxidants. Histopathologically, ethanolic extract of broccoli ameliorated acetaminophen-induced kidney injury. Histopathological changes were in agreement with biochemical findings. Results indicated that ethanolic extract of broccoli, because of its anti-oxidant potential, exerts a protective effect against acetaminophen induced renotoxicity in rats.

Fahey, J.W., Zhang, Y. and Talalay, P. (1997). Broccoli sprouts: An exceptionally rich source of inducers of enzymes that protect against chemical carcinogens. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 94(19): 10367-10372.

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